Saturday, August 29, 2009

NFPE HAS SENT AN E-MAIL TODAY FOLLOWED BY SPEED POST TO HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FINANCE - GOVERNMENT OF INDIA - REQUESTING HIS KIND INTERVENTION TO STOP DISCRIMINATION AGAINST POSTAL EMPLOYEES ON THE MATTER OF 60 DAYS CAP IN PLB

POSTAL EMPLOYEES GOT 65 DAYS PLB IN THE YEAR 2004 - THERE AFTER MOF IS APPLYING AN ARBITRARY CAP OF 60 DAYS EVEN THOUGH THE PRODUCTIVITY OF POSTAL PLB JUSTIFIED MORE BONUS THAN 60 DAYS EVERY YEAR

NFPE SEEKS THE INTERVENTION OF HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FINANCE FOR ENDING 5 YEARS OF DISCRIMINATION AND STEP-MOTHERLY TREATMENT TO POSTAL EMPLOYEES WHILE IT LIBERALLY GRANTS MORE THAN 60 DAYS TO RAILWAYS / DEFENCE

THE EMAIL SENT TO HON'BLE FINANCE MINISTER IS REPRODUCED BELOW FOR THE INFORMATION OF MEMBERSHIP:

Sub: Discrimination against the employees of Department of Posts at the hands of Ministry of Finance in the matter of applying unilateral cap in entitlement under Productivity – Linked – Bonus – regarding.

Respected Sir,

This Federation is constrained to seek your justified intervention to end the discriminatory and step-motherly approach of Ministry of Finance on the matter of its unilateral application of 60 Days cap while sanctioning Productivity Linked Bonus to Postal Employees. The action of MOF is totally discriminatory, unjustified, arbitrary and against the very formula of PLB itself.

The MOF is permitting more than 60 Days PLB to the employees of Railways, Defence etc under the respective PLB Formula but reduces the entitlement to 60 days by applying the cap in the case of Postal Employees only. This action is therefore totally discriminatory against the Postal Employees.

The action of MOF which is rounding off the entitlement to mere 60 even though every year the productivity arrived at as per the PLB Formula records entitlement of bonus more than 60 days. In fact the Postal Employees have been paid 65 days PLB also in the year 2004 as per the productivity but thereafter started applying this arbitrary cap unilaterally. Therefore the action of MOF is totally arbitrary and unjustified as well as against the norms of the Productivity Linked Bonus Formula in existence for the Postal Employees.

The failure of Department of Posts in computing any new PLB Formula cannot be held against the interests of the Postal Employees who are to be paid in accordance with their existing PLB Formula. This Federation therefore seeks your kind and justified intervention in this matter and order the MOF to not to apply any arbitrary cap which was not contemplated under the existing PLB Formula to Postal Employees.

We pin our hope on you for causing an end to the five years of discrimination.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

KINDLY REMEMBER THE DECISION OF THE NFPE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE HELD ON 16-17 JULY 2009 THAT CALLED UPON FOR COLLECTING SPECIAL DONATION TO NFPE AND CONFEDERATION AND ALSO FOR CHQ OF RESPECTIVE UNIONS AT THE RATES FIXED LAST YEAR FROM THOSE MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT DONATED DURING 40% FIRST INSTALLMENT ARREARS PAYMENT

PLEASE MAKE THE COLLECTIONS FROM THOSE MEMBERS WHO HAVE NOT DONATED LAST YEAR @ 100/- PER MEMBER TO NFPE AND @ 20/- PER MEMBER TO CONFEDERATION – PLEASE DO NOT FORGET THAT DURING PAYMENT OF FIRST INSTALLMENT OF ARREARS DONATION WAS REMITTED BY BRANCHES FOR ONLY 10% OF OUR TOTAL MEMBERSHIP – REMAINING 90% MEMBERS CONTRIBUTION HAS NOT BEEN REMITTED SO FAR BY BRANCHES - THIS DO NOT SPEAK HIGHLY OF OUR ORGANISATIONAL COMMITMENT.

THOSE DIVISIONAL / BRANCH SECRETARIES OF P3 – P4 – R3 – R4 AND CIRCLE / REGIONAL SECRETARIES OF ADMN UNION AND POSTAL ACCOUNTS UNION WHO HAVE REMITTED PART PAYMENT ONLY LAST YEAR ARE REQUESTED TO REMIT THE SPECIAL DONATION RELATED TO BALANCE MEMBERSHIP FOR WHOM NO DONATION WAS REMITTED TO NFPE LAST YEAR

PLEASE REMEMBER DONATIONS TO NFPE TO BE REMITTED DIRECTLY TO TREASURER NFPE & DONATIONS TO CONFEDERATION SHOULD BE REMITTED TO RESPECTIVE ALL INDIA UNION [CHQ]

A Delegation consisting of Comrade K.Ragavendran Secretary General NFPE and Comrades Ishwar Singh Dabas GS P4; Giriraj Singh GS R3; Rajanayagam GS Postal Accounts; R. Sivannarayana Offg.GS P3; and Nagabhushanam Ex-C/S R-III Andhra met the Secretary Department of Posts today. Intervention to issue orders for 6th CPC wages for all Casual - - RRR - Part Time Contingent staff from 1.1.2006 and issues of absorption of PTCLs in place of vacant GDS in Andhra Circle etc were discussed. We also conveyed our strong feelings over the delay in orders on GDS Pay commission and requested for immediate intervention in this matter.

The same delegation of NFPE along with Comrade Mahadevaiah General Secretary GDS Union met the Member [P] and sought his intervention for GDS Pay Commission orders. Member [P] agreed to intervene and issued instructions to Officers to follow the file with nodal ministries.

The Postal JCA letter to Department of Posts over the Programme of Action announced by us would be submitted tomorrow under the joint signatures of Secretary General NFPE; Secretary General FNPO; GDS General Secretary of AIPEDEU; and GDS General Secretary of NUGDS.

Rank and File branches are called upon to organise the announced programmes very effectively to send the strong message of distress upto the ears of the Government.

POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION ANNOUNCES A JOINT PROGRAMME OF ACTION FOR GDS

ON REQUEST FROM NFPE COMRADE BASUDEV ACHARYA MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT INTERACTING WITH THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR EXPEDITING ANNOUNCEMENT

POSTAL JCA CALL UPON THE REGULAR AND GDS TO LAUNCH THE ACTION PROGRAMME WITH COMMITMENT AND PREPARE FOR DIRECT ACTION

JCA CIRCULAR IS FURNISHED BELOW:

POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYOEES

1st Floor, North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi – 110001

FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANISATIONS

T-24, Atul Grove Road, New Delhi – 110001

ALL INDIA POSTAL EXTRA DEPARTMENTAL EMPLOYEES UNION

First Floor, Padam Nagar Post Office Building, Delhi – 110007

NATIONAL UNION OF GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS

Downhill, Malappuram, 676519 [Kerala]

JOINT PROGRAMME OF ACTION

DEMANDING IMMEDIATE APPROVAL OF GDS PAY COMMISSION

BY GOVERNMENT

Dear Comrades / Colleagues!

The extreme delay on the part of the Government in accepting and announcing implementation of GDS Committee Report is condemnable. The entirety of GDS Employees are agitated on the face of this unexplainable delay while the regular employees are released with their second instalment of 60% arrears amount of 6th CPC by the Government on 25th August 2009. The delay even after reported submission of Cabinet Memo by the Ministry of Communications & IT is causing extreme pain and frustration amongst the entire work force of Department of Posts.

The Postal Joint Council of Action comprising National Federation of Postal Employees, Federation of National Postal Organisations, All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union and National Union of Gramin Dak Sevaks has therefore decided to launch the following united programme of action demanding immediate acceptance by the Cabinet and release of orders for implementation of GDS pay commission. The Postal Joint Council of Action of the above organisations has also decided to resort to direct industrial action if the orders are not released before 16th September 2009.

PROGRAMME OF ACTION

1. Immediate Nationwide protest demonstrations in front of work spots

2. Mass Rally at Divisional Level on 3.9.2009.

3. March to RAJBHAWAN and submission of Memorandum to Hon'ble Governors in all State Capitals on 10.09.2009 and March to District Collectors where State level March to Governors is not feasible

4. Relay Dharna for 3 Days from 14.09.2009 to 16.09.2009

5. Direct Action will be declared by Postal JCA if GDS Pay Commission not implemented by 16th September 2009.

The Postal JCA therefore calls upon the entirety of Postal Regular Employees and Gramin Dak Sevaks to unify their ranks and launch the Programme of Action with total commitment and get ready for industrial action.

Friday, August 21, 2009

GOVERNMENT HAS SET A PRECONDITION FOR PAYMENT OF SECOND INSTALMENT OF 60% PAY COMMISSION ARREARS FOR POST 1.1.2004 RECRUITED CG EMPLOYEES

NEW CG EMPLOYEES RECRUITED ON OR AFTER 1.1.2004 WILL NOT BE PAID 60% ARREARS UNLESS THEY SIGN THE FORM REGISTERING THEMSELVES UNDER THE NEW PENSION SCHEME

DDOs ARE ORDERED NOT TO PAY 60% ARREARS WITHOUT SUBMISSION OF REGISTRATION FORM FOR NPS FROM THOSE EMPLOYEES

THIS IS A MEASURE TO TAKE FORCEFUL REGISTRATION FROM ALL THE POST 1.1.2004 RECRUITED EMPLOYEES SINCE THE ACTION OF GOVERNMENT IN ANNOUNCING THE NPS IS DONE BY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS WITHOUT AMENDING PENSION ACT

Dear Comrades! The Government Orders made it compulsory for payment of 60% of Pay Commission Arrears to all Government Employees recruited on or after 1.1.2004 to submit a form signing for registering under New Pension Scheme to get Permanent Retirement Account Number [PRAN]. The form of registration under NPS shall be submitted to the National Securities Depositories Limited [NSDL] before 31.08.2009 by the respective DDOs.

The Orders of the Ministry of Finance [Department of Expenditure] Dated 17.08.2009 in this regard together with the copy of the PRAN Application Form can be downloaded by clicking the Link Below:

The 23rd All India Conference of All India Postal Employees Union - Postmen & Group 'D' was held in a grand manner in the city of Kolkata from 16th August to 19th August 2009 under the chairmanship of CHQ President Comrade Milan Bhattacharyya. The Reception Committee headed by Comrade Biswajiban Mazumdar as Chairman and Comrade Nirmal De Circle Secretary as the General Secretary had madeexcellent arrangements that attracted praise by all.

The Conference commenced with the flag hoisting. Comrade K.K.N.Kutty Secretary General Confederation hoisted the National Flag. Comrade K.Ragavendran Secretary General NFPE hoisted the NFPE Flag. Comrade Milan Bhattacharyya CHQ President P4 Union hoisted the Union Flag. Powerful slogans rented the air. After the flag hoisting all leaders and delegates respected the Martyrs Column with floral tributes and then reached the Purbashree Auditorium which was named as Subhash Chakroborti Nagar in memory of the departed Honourable Minister of Sports, Youth and Cultural Affairs of West Bengal in a big procession where the Conference Inaugural Session commenced. The AIC Dais was named after departed leader Comrade Chandra Gupta Manch.

Comrade K.K.N.Kutty Secretary General Confederation of CG Employees and Workers inaugurated the AIC and the Chief Guest Comrade Basudev Acharya Honourable Member of Parliament delivered his special address. Honourable Mayor of Kolkata Comrade Bikas Ranjan Bhattaharya delivered his special address in the AIC. Confederation Working President Comrade C.C.Pillai also addressed the inaugural session.

A Book titled 'Calcutta Postal Club' was released in the AIC by the Honourable Mayor of Kolkata and the first copy was accepted by Confederation Secretary General Comrade KKN Kutty.

The AIC was attended by more than 2000 Delegates and Visitors. The Conference deliberated in depth all the problems faced by the Postal and CG Employees in general and the Postmen and Group D in particular. Debate and discussions from the Delegates shaped the adoption of resolutions on problems and on Policy and Programme that decided to carry on the struggle under the united banner of NFPE if the intended struggle decision of the Federal Executive of NFPE does not result in proper settlement of issues.

The AIC unanimously elected a list of office bearers headed by Comrade Sk.Humayun [Andhra] as CHQ President; Comrade Ishwar Singh Dabas [Delhi] as General Secretary; and Comrade Mahabir Singh [Delhi] as CHQ Treasurer.

GOVERNMENT ISSUED ORDERS FOR INCLUDING DEPENDENT DISABLED SIBLINGS IN THE DEFINITION OF FAMILY

NOW DEPENDENT DISABLED BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES / PENSIONERS WILL ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR FAMILY PENSION

Dear Comrades,

Department of Pensions&Pensioners' Welfare has issued orders to include the dependent disabled brothers and sisters of Government servants/Pensioners in the definition of 'Family' for the purpose of eligibility for family pension. Such disabled siblings shall be eligible for family pension for life in the same manner and following the same disability criteria,as laid down in Rule 54 of the CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972 in the case of son/daughter of Government employees/Pensioners suffering from any disorder or diability of mind (including mentally retarded) or physically crippled or disabled, so as to render him/her unable to earn a living even after the age of 25 years.

LONG PENDING ISSUE OF MERGER OF ACCOUNTS OF DOP - DOT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS

NECESSARY ORDERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ISSUED NEXT WEEK AFTER THE MEMBER [FINANCE] DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS RETURN TO HEADQUARTERS ON MONDAY

ONE-TIME ABSORPTION OF AAOs [GAZETTED] IN DOT HAS ALREADY BEEN KEPT IN ABEYANCE AND THEREFORE THE MERGER OF ACCOUNTS WILL ENABLE ALL WAITLISTED JAOs IN DEPARTMENT OF POSTS GET THEIR ABSORPTION WITHOUT ANY COMPETITION FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS

MORE THAN 10 - 15 YEARS OF WAIT FOR OUR JAO QUALIFIED OFFICIALS IS THUS EXPECTED TO END SOON

Thursday, August 20, 2009

ONE TIME ABSORPTION OF AAOs IN DOT – PROCESS KEPT IN ABEYANCE

Dear Comrades – The Department of Telecommunications has kept the process of one-time absorption of AAOs in DOT in abeyance in order to pursue the process of merger of Accounts of DOP-DOT. The orders keeping the process under abeyance is given below for the information of members:

17-1/2008-SEA=II

Government of India

Department of Telecommunications

Sanchar Bhawan

20, Asoka Road, New Delhi – 110001

Dated 17.08.2009

To

All Ministries / Departments of Government of India

Delhi / New Delhi

Sub: Appointment on permanent absorption basis of Assistant Accounts Officers (Group B Gazetted) in Department of Telecommunications (DOT) as a One Time Measure – regarding.

With reference to this Department's letter of even number dated 2.7.2009, calling for applications for appointment on permanent absorption basis of Assistant Accounts Officers (Group B Gazetted) in the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) as a One Time Measure, it has been decided to hold in abeyance the process of finalisation of the above said appointment for the time being due to administrative reasons.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

NFPE CALLS UPON ITS RANK AND FILE TO EXTEND SOLIDARITY TO THE BSNL EMPLOYEES STRUGGLE

Dear Comrades! – The United Forum of BSNL EMPLOYEES consisting of 7 unions including the BSNL Employees Union, the major and recognised union of BSNL has served a strike notice for organising 48 Hours strike on 19th and 20th August 2009.

The Strike Notice has been served to protest against the adamant,, discriminative and lethargic attitude of the management in handling the wage negotiations. The United Forum of BSNL Employees has charged the BSNL Management that the wage negotiations have been put in cold storage by not appointing the replacement to the post of Chairman Wage Negotiating Committee for long time after the retirement of the earlier Chairman despite repeated requests from the unions.

The Agitating Unions have charged the attitude of the Management which had earlier allotted 70% wage rise for the officers themselves while treating the wage negotiations for the employees with discriminatory approach.

NFPE call upon our rank and file to extend our support and solidarity to the call given by the United Forum of BSNL Employees consisting of BSNL Employees Union; Telecom Employees Progressive Union; Bsnl Mazdoor Sangh (BPEF); All India Backward Classes Telecom Employees Sangathan; SC//ST Employees Welfare Association of BSNL; Bahujan Trade Union of BSNL; Sanchar Nigam Association of Telecom Technical Assistants by organising lunch hour demonstrations all over India in front of our work spots. NFPE also suggests our rank and file branches to invite leaders belonging to the unions in the United Forum of BSNL Employees to our above solidarity demonstrations and send Savingrams in support of the strike to the Honourable Minister of Communications & IT as follows:

TEXT OF SAVINGRAM TO BE SENT TO HON'BLE MOC&IT

ALL CROSS SECTION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES SUPPORT THE STRIKE OF BSNL EMPLOYEES AND URGE UPON HONOURABLE MOC & IT TO INTERVENE TO START WAGE NEGOTIATIONS IMMEDIATELY TO SETTLE THE JUSTIFIED DEMANDS WITH THE UNITED FORUM OF BSNL EMPLOYEES

Saturday, August 15, 2009

NFPE BRINGS A WARM INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE TO ALL OUR BLOG READERS THROUGH THE GREETINGS SUPPLIED BY 123Greetings.com - PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO VIEW THE FULL INDEPENDENCE DAY GREETINGS FROM SECRETARY GENERAL NFPE:

Friday, August 14, 2009

CABINET MEMO ON GDS COMMITEEE PROPOSALS STILL NOT CLEARED BY THE UNION CABINET

NFPE REQUESTED THE INTERVENTION OF HONOURABLE MOC & IT FOR TAKING UP THE ITEM ON PRIORITY

Headquarters is getting a lot of telephone calls from the GDS employees on the position of GDS Committee proposals. Comrades are asking as to when the orders would be released?

NFPE earlier learnt that any time the Cabinet might clear the proposals. wE got the confirmed information that the Cabinet Note on the proposals of GDS Committee had gone to Central Cabinet but due to large number of issues being numbered for Cabinet consideration, the GDS Cabinet Memo is not yet taken up for approval by the Cabinet.

We also learnt that only by the intervention of our Honourable Minister of Communications & IT for taking up the issue on PRIORITY, there is a chance of early approval.

NFPE therefore sent a letter by FAX to Sri. A.Raja Honourable Minister of Communications & IT today evening requesting his kind intervention for facilitating approval of GDS proposals on PRIORITY. NFPE also once again requested the Honourable Minister to intervene to sanction the entire arrears in one instalment.

We hope that the Honourable Minister of Communications & IT would intervene and ensure early approval of the Cabinet Memo on GDS Committee proposals and issue of early orders. The full text of the letter sent by FAX today evening to the MOC & IT is reproduced below for the information of the rank and file workers:

National Federation of Postal Employees seeks your personal intervention and use of your good offices for expediting the decision of the Union Cabinet on implementation of GDS Committee recommendations.

The proposals of the Postal Department on the recommendations of the Nataraja Murti Committee for three lakhs of GDS Employees have been submitted for the approval of the Union Cabinet after acceptance of the same by the Ministry of Finance.

There has been a long delay in processing the recommendations and even after one year of implementation of 6th CPC recommendations for the regular employees, the wage increase for three lakhs of Gramin Dak Sewaks has not been implemented so far. The Gramin Dak Sewaks are eagerly awaiting the announcement from the Government.

We are afraid that due to a number of pressing problems the Government of India is burdened to take decisions in the Union Cabinet, the acceptance of the proposals on GDS Committee might be further delayed. We therefore seek your kind intervention and use of your good offices for treating the issue on priority by the Cabinet to avoid further delay. We also seek your personal intervention to facilitate a decision for payment of entire arrears due in one single instalment taking into consideration that already one full year has lapsed in taking a decision.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

GOVERNMENT IS GOING FOR A SCHEME OF HEALTH INSURANCE CALLED " CG EMPLOYEES & PENSIONERS HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME"

ELIGIBLE HEALTH INSURERS AND OR HEALTH INSURANCE CONSULTANTS ARE ASKED TO SEND IN THEIR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST TO THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

Dear Comrades!

The Government is moving ahead with the introduction of Health Insurance Scheme in lieu of CGHS in a big way. This stand is the fall out of the recommendations of the 6th CPC for introducing such a medical insurance scheme. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has called for Expression of Interest from Health Insurers / Health Insurance Consultants by providing the following information.

Confederation of Central Government Employees has taken a position that strengthening of CGHS will be the better option instead of going for such Health Insurance Schemes. The stand of the Government is a fall out of the neo-liberalisation policy under which the State is withdrawing more and more from its commitment towards providing health services.

Comrades are requested to read the under-mentioned points and also read the full text of the Health Ministry document placed in its website by clicking the link at the bottom of this blog. After reading please send your comments to the NFPE through emails to nfpehq@gmail.com

SOME PARAGRAPHS FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH DOCUMENT CALLING FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST:

All personnel of the Central Government including All India Service officers, serving, newly recruited, retired and retiring and others who are covered under the existing CGHS(Central Government Health Services)and under CS (MA) [Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules] Rules shall be offered Health Insurance Schemeon voluntary or on compulsorily basis . This could be:

CGEPHIS shall be compulsory to new Central Government Employees who would be joining service after the introduction of the health Insurance Scheme.

CGEPHIS shall be compulsory to new Central Government retirees who would be retiring from the service after the introduction of the Insurance Scheme.

CGEPHIS would be available on voluntary basis for the existing Central Government Employees and pensioners serving in CGHS area/ covered by CGHS. In this case such serving Central Government Employees and Central Government existing Pensioners shall have to opt out of CGHS scheme. They will also have the option of choosing both CGHS and Insurance policy. In such case the total premium has to be born by the beneficiary.

CGEPHIS would also be available on voluntary basis for the existing serving employees and pensioners in non-CGHS areas not covered by CGHS. In this case such serving Central Government Employees and existing Pensioners (who have opted for CGHS facility) shall have to opt out of CGHS scheme. They will also have the option of choosing both CGHS and Insurance policy. In such case the total premium has to be born by the beneficiary.

NFPE wants to know from our members and all pensioners as to what they feel about the introduction of Health Insurance Scheme in lieu of CGHS ?

Do they feel that such Insurance Schemes would destroy the entire CGHS in course of time and will ultimately lead all employees and pensioners to spend on medical needs from their own pockets?

Do they feel that this measure is an exhibition of slow withdrwal of commitment of the Government to provide for its employees and pensioners the medical treatment?

The full text of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare document calling for Expression of Interest can be downloaded by clicking the under-mentioned Link: